Tesla CEO Michael Marks announced in a letter sent to Tesla customers that production of the company’s all-electric Roadster sports car would be delayed. Originally schedule for production as early as this month, Tesla now plans to build and deliver the first 50 Roadsters in the first quarter of 2008. Marks also said the company intends to build a total of 650 Roadsters by the end of 2008.
The letter did, however, contain some good news for Roadster customers. The sports car achieved a combined EPA cycle of 245 miles on a single charge. Earlier reports expected the Roadster to return mileage in the 200 mile range.
According to the letter, the Roadster has also passed side-impact crash tests, the only tests not passed by earlier prototypes. Marks also confirmed in the letter that the Roadster can accelerate from 0-60 in under 4 seconds.
The Tesla Roadster could prove to be very pivotal to the electric car’s future. The general public widely regards “green” vehicles as boring modes of transportation, but with a sub 4 second 0-60 time, the Roadster could show the potential for zero-emissions performance. While the electric car is still in its infancy — as shown by the Roadster’s continual production delays — Tesla could be giving us a glimpse into the future.
